Rodgersia podophylla – Rodgersia japonica –

Description

Rodgersia – There are about 6 species of vigorous, clump forming, rhizomatous moisture loving perennials in the Saxifragaceae family, in this genus. They occur in moist woodlands and scrub, and at stream sides, in the mountains, of Myanmar, Burma, China, Korea, and Japan. Grown for their leaves more then their flowers. They have large, long stalked, palmate or pinnate, sometimes bronze tinted basal leaves, in some species turning shades or red and brown in autumn. In mid to late summer, tall stems bear star shaped petalless, white or pink flowers, each up to 3/8″ across, in large, fluffy, pyramidal panicles, they are followed by dark red or brown, capsular fruits. Grow near water, in a bog garden or moist border, or use for naturalizing at woodland margins. Grow in humus rich, moist soil in full sun or partial shade. They resent drought, but will tolerate drier conditions with more shade. Divide in spring. Prone to slugs. R. podophylla – R. japonica – This clump forming, rhizomatous perennial from Asia grows 3-5′ feet tall and 30″-6′ feet wide. It produces palmate leaves, to 16″ long, composed of usually 5 to 9 large, jagged, obovate, 3 to 5 lobed leaflets, crinkled and copper tinted when young, becoming smoother, glossy, and mid green, with brown hairs. The leaves turn bronze-red in autumn. In mid and late summer, bears star shaped, creamy green flowers in multi-branched panicles 12″ long. Tolerates full shade but does better in part shade. Prefers neutral to acid soil. Zones 5-8